UPDATE: Disney Cancels Plans to Trademark "Dia de los Muertos"

When the legal braintrust at Disney Enterprises heard the roar of criticism aimed at its applications to trademark "Dia de los Muertos" earlier today, the corporation decided to quickly and quietly backpedal.

Disney had filed 10 applications last week in hopes of obtaining the trademark to the phrase "Dia de los Muertos" in conjunction with a new animated film focused on the Mexican holiday. The trademark would have given the company rights to sue anyone for using the phrase/name of the religious holiday for profit on a variety of goods.

"As we have previously announced, Disney-Pixar is developing an animated feature inspired by the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos," Disney representatives announced in a release issued late last night. "Disney's trademark filing was intended to protect any potential title for our film and related activities. It has since been determined that the title of the film will change and therefore we are withdrawing our trademark filing."

... that and Disney quickly realized that making a boatload of money on a new movie inspired by the Mexican holiday would be impossible after pissing off the Mexican community for attempting to trademark their annual celebration of deceased loved ones.